2026.06.24 JGSC RFP QA Master Rounds 2 & 3.pdf

Question # Date Rcvd Document/Attachment Page # / Paragraph Reference Question Government Response

Date Posted to SAM.gov

9 15-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Section 2, page 2, paragraph A.1.1

We noted that there does not appear to be a Section 2 preference for U.S.-flag carriers. Could you please clarify whether a Section 2 preference is intended? In addition, could you provide further guidance on the criteria for “large volume combat”?

A U.S. flag preference is intended. All preferences and award criteria are established at the task-order level in Section 4. The U.S.-flag preference is set forth at PWS 4.C.2, which applies the order of priority under the Military Cargo Preference Act of 1904.

The phrase "large-volume combat forces' rolling stock and associated materials" at PWS 2.A.1.1 describes the movement of the type of equipment

(vehicles, rolling stock); it is not a defined quantitative threshold or a separate evaluation criterion. Specific cargo capacity and capability requirements are requested at the task-order level.

24-Jun-26

10 15-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Section 4, page 4, paragraph C.6

We would appreciate some additional clarification regarding the small business preference. As currently written, it appears to apply only when there are two technically acceptable small business bidders. Could you confirm whether the intent is for the preference to apply more broadly in relation to large business bidders as well? Also, are there plans for any small business set-aside RFPs?

Task orders under this acquisition are open to all eligible JGSC contractors.

As described in PWS paragraphs 4.C.6 and 4.D.4, a small business preference "may" apply at the task order level; this is structured as a discretionary preference rather than a set-aside. There are no small business set-asides established under this acquisition.

24-Jun-26

11 15-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Section 8, page 8, paragraph B.2 Could you please clarify what “QASP” refers to? We were unable to locate a definition in the solicitation.

The QASP (Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan) is an internal Government document used to monitor and assess contractor performance against the

Service Delivery Summary in the PWS. It is not released as part of the solicitation.

24-Jun-26

12 15-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Section 9, page 12, paragraph G Could you please provide additional detail on what is required to be certified as CMMC Level 2 (Self)?

Please see the Government's responses to Questions #1, #7, and #8. In summary, compliance with CMMC Level 2 (Self) including completion of the

NIST SP 800-171 self-assessment and submission of the associated SPRS score and affirmation is required prior to award, as referenced in DFARS

252.204-7025.

24-Jun-26

13 15-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Section 9, page 16, paragraph H.13 Could you please clarify what type of information is considered CUI under this solicitation?

The specific categories of CUI applicable under this solicitation will be identified, as applicable, at the task order level based on each individual requirement. The IDIQ-level CMMC Level 2 (Self) requirement (PWS 9.G) establishes the baseline for safeguarding any CUI on unclassified systems in accordance with DFARS 252.204-7012 and -7021.

24-Jun-26

14 15-Jun-26 General

Could you please clarify how the maximum order provision under Order Limitations (52.216-19) is intended to apply? For example, would this refer to 10 vessels under a single RFP, or 10 separate RFPs? We would also appreciate any background you can share on the purpose of including a maximum order under this IDIQ.

The maximum order applies per task order. The intent is no more than 10 vessels under a single task order. Inclusion of a maximum order is a required element of an IDIQ contract and establishes the largest single task order the contractor is obligated to accept.

24-Jun-26

15 15-Jun-26 General Could you please share how many contractors are expected to be selected?

The Government does not specify a fixed number of awards. As stated in the Addendum to FAR 52.212‑2, Section I.A (and the Multiple Awards paragraph added to FAR 52.212‑1, paragraph (f)), the Government intends to award multiple IDIQ contracts to all responsible offerors whose proposals conform to the solicitation and are rated Acceptable under the Technical Capability factor.

24-Jun-26

16 15-Jun-26 General Is there any preliminary indication of anticipated cargo volumes? Is there a limit?

Cargo volumes will be identified at the task order level based on each individual requirement and are therefore not specified at the IDIQ level.

Please refer to question #14 for vessel limitations per task order.

24-Jun-26

17 15-Jun-26 General Please confirm whether the JGSC will include coverage for ammunition charters?

The JGSC may include charters involving the transport of ammunition.

Specific cargo types will be identified at the task order level. 24-Jun-26

18 18-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Paragraph 2.A.

The Solicitation refers to short term time and voyage charters to meet mission specific requirements. Are there minimum days in charter durations?

These charters are short term (less than one year). Specific charter durations will be listed in the RFQ at the task order level. 24-Jun-26

19 18-Jun-26 Request for Proposal Page 3, Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs Does the Government intend to use the monthly charter rate for time and voyage charters?

No. There is no monthly charter rate under the IDIQ for either time or voyage charters. Each task order will be priced separately as either a time or voyage charter in accordance with PWS paragraph 4.C.8.

24-Jun-26

20 18-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Paragraph 2.B. Please confirm that these will be bare boat charters. No, these are time and voyage charters. 24-Jun-26

21 18-Jun-26 Request for Proposal Page 7, Deliveries or Performance Is the RFP pricing per month (time 60 months) per vessel?

The RFP does not require pricing at the IDIQ contract level, and pricing is not structured as a monthly rate over 60 months per vessel. The 60-month figure represents the ordering/period of performance. All pricing is proposed at the task order level in accordance with PWS paragraph 4.C.8.

24-Jun-26

Joint Global Sealift Charter (JGSC) - RFP Q&A

HTC71126RE142

22 18-Jun-26 Request for Proposal Page. 25, Addendum to FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation -- Commercial Products and Commercial Services (2026)

Page 25 states that the Government will award multiple Fixed Price IDIQ contracts.

a. How will the Government review the charter rates?

b. Will the Government utilize a FAR Section 15 Fair and Reasonable price evaluation?

c. Will it be against charter rates for one month, 60 months or 120 months?

d. Is this considered a ceiling price?

a. All charter rates are proposed and evaluated at the task order level utilizing PWS paragraph 4.C.8.

b. At the IDIQ level, the Government evaluates offers under FAR Parts 12 and 15 on a Technical Capability (Acceptable/Unacceptable) basis only — no price is submitted or evaluated. A FAR Part 15 fair-and-reasonable price determination does not occur at the IDIQ level. All pricing is evaluated at the task order level on an LPTA basis under the fair opportunity procedures in PWS Section 4, with award to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offer within the applicable preference tier.

c. None. Rates are evaluated for each individual task order. The 60-month figure is the ordering/performance period, not a pricing basis; 120 months is not an evaluation basis.

d. No. The total contract value across all contracts awarded under the Joint Global Sealift Charter (JGSC) program shall not exceed $2.7 billion, as stated in the RFP "Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs" section.

24-Jun-26

23 18-Jun-26 General Will the contract allow for an escalation clause or if there are changes with bunker prices?

An escalation clause is not applicable, as these are short-term charters (less than one year). Bunker fuel is addressed by charter type: for time charters, fuel is priced separately using DLA-E standard fuel prices; for voyage charters, fuel is included in the lump-sum freight rate. Specific instructions will be provided in each task order RFQ.

24-Jun-26

24 18-Jun-26 General Please confirm if task order prices should or can include repositioning fees.

Yes, repositioning costs may be included. For time charters, repositioning is priced separately. For voyage charters, it is included in the lump-sum freight rate. Specific instructions will be provided in each task order RFQ.

24-Jun-26

25 18-Jun-26 Attachment 3, Technical Capability Worksheet Question 2 The bid only allows for one vessel to be added for consideration, how do we propose other vessels?

Only one VISA-enrolled Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO), multi-purpose, or vehicle carrier vessel is required at the IDIQ proposal stage to receive an award.

Offerors can propose additional vessels for each task order.

24-Jun-26

26 18-Jun-26 Performance Work Statement Section 4.D.

Under RFP 4.D.3, For Task Order awards, will a US Flag Preference with a higher price than the VISA Preference vessel but offering the lowest price for US Flag preference receive the Task Order award? Please clarify.

Under the LPTA evaluation hierarchy in PWS Section 4.D, the award is made to the offeror that satisfies the highest applicable preference while also offering the lowest price within that preference tier.

Because U.S. Flag is the highest preference tier, a technically acceptable U.S.

Flag offer is prioritized over a VISA offer even if the U.S. Flag price is higher than the VISA vessel's price. Price is used to determine the lowest-priced offer within the applicable preference tier, not across tiers. The lowest-priced U.S. Flag preference offer that is technically acceptable would therefore receive the task order award over a lower-priced VISA preference offer.

24-Jun-26

27 22-Jun-26

Attachment 2, Contract Determination Worksheet Question 4

Attach 2 – Contract Documentation worksheet: Is a simple statement of compliance acceptable? With other RFPs that incorporate FAR 52.222-56, we are required to provide the complete statement of compliance which won’t fit in the submission block provided and we are not to attach additional documents that were not provided in the solicitation package.

A simple certification statement for compliance is acceptable. 24-Jun-26

28 22-Jun-26

Attachment 2, Contract Determination Worksheet Question 7 Attach 2 – Contract Documentation worksheet: Insufficient space in the submission block. Can we just provide names and email addresses?

Please provide the requested information: Name, title, telephone number, and email address of the individuals authorized to negotiate with the Government in connection with this solicitation. We only need 1-2 individuals for this question. After award of the IDIQ, we can add additional individuals if necessary.

24-Jun-26

29 22-Jun-26

Performance Work Statement Section 9.G, Page 12 How long do contractors/carriers have to clear CMMC level 2 conditional award status?

Please see the Government's responses to Questions #1, and #7. In summary, compliance with CMMC Level 2 (Self) including completion of the

NIST SP 800-171 self-assessment and submission of the associated SPRS score and affirmation is required prior to award, as referenced in DFARS

252.204-7025.

24-Jun-26

30 22-Jun-26 General What is the anticipated acceleration, measured in days, of MSC’s contract timelines utilizing the JGSC?

This is an internal Government process and will not be answered in response to this question. 24-Jun-26